YouTube Emulates Netflix’s Approach, Opts Against Releasing Apple Vision Pro App
Google-owned YouTube has now followed in the footsteps of streaming giant Netflix by deciding not to launch its own app for Apple’s much-anticipated mixed reality (MR) headset ‘Vision Pro’.
As with Netflix, viewers must switch to the web browser version to watch YouTube content, TechCrunch reported.
“We’re excited to see the launch of Vision Pro, and we’re supporting it by making sure YouTube users have a great experience in Safari,” a YouTube spokesperson said.
However, YouTube did not reveal the reason for this decision, and it is also unclear whether the company plans to support Vision Pro in the future.
In particular, YouTube offers an app for competing headsets, Meta Quest. According to the report, Netflix has confirmed that it will not create a separate app for the device and will not change its current iPad version.
According to MacStories, several other companies, including Meta-owned Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and WhatsApp, may also be holding off on releasing compatible apps. Other missing apps include Bumble, Snapchat, Roku, YouTube Music, Lyft, etc.
However, some companies are willing to participate.
A total of twenty apps, including TikTok, Disney+, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and Peacock, among others, are the first to offer entertainment experiences with headphones. Apple will release the Vision Pro in the US on February 2.
The Apple Vision Pro is available starting at $3,499 with 256GB of storage. Apple Vision Pro pre-orders are now open.
The headphones are available at all US Apple Stores and US Apple Stores online, the company said.
